In 2020, Kaufman and his colleagues organized a diverse team of scientists, doctors, economists, and conservationists to address the issue of primary prevention of zoonotic pandemics. In this article, Dr. Ari Berstein of Harvard School of Public Health led the investigation of loss and advantages brought about by recent pandemics.
The team has proposed that instead of focusing on containment, a cost-effective program can greatly reduce the risks associated with pandemics with three simple steps: (1) Improve the surveillance of pathogen spillover with cooperative scientific effort, (2) close management of wildlife trade, and (3) major reductions in the rates of deforestation.
The implementation of these steps can help the world break from the current cycle of pandemics spread by pathogen spillover into human populations. Although, this issue requires greater public recognition to bring about the immense collateral benefits such as improved routine public health, reduction in biodiversity loss and mass extinction, and a major bonus in our efforts to reign in climate change.
To read more about the impact of zoonotic pandemics, click here.